SEMSWA plans construction activity around pond

The Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority has initiated a stream-restoration and water-quality improvement project for a pond at the Lincoln Executive Center in Centennial. Photo courtesy of SEMSWA

Submitted by SEMSWA

The Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority has initiated a stream-restoration and water-quality improvement project for a pond at the Lincoln Executive Center in Centennial.

The pond, located adjacent to Arapahoe Road west of Lima Street, was apparently constructed for aesthetic purposes, but eventually posed maintenance issues for its owners, requiring costly dredging efforts of accumulated sediment every few years.

Prior to initiation of this project, the approximately three-acre permanent pool stretched from the Arapahoe Road culvert crossing to the bridge at Peakview Avenue.

In 2012, Muller Engineering Company was selected to design improvements to replace the wet pond with an extended detention basin, which would provide accessible sediment reservoirs or forebays to facilitate maintenance.

Additionally, the project will re-establish a channel alignment with additional wetland vegetation on the banks to create riparian habitat.

Cottonwood Creek baseflows will be contained in the channel, and during larger runoff events

water will spill out into the vegetated overbanks, emulating a natural floodplain.

The improvements combine to maximize healthy channel function and enhance water quality along Cottonwood Creek, a major tributary to Cherry Creek, and ultimately the Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Draining of the pond began in July 2012. Construction began this month and is expected to be completed in June.

For more information, contact project manager Jon Nelson at 303-858-8844 or visit www.semswa.org.